Vintage stars return for real-life 'Heartbreakers'

Departing from its usual true-crime reality fare, the network is unrolling "Heartbreakers," which brings back stars from the past in scripted melodramas that happen to be based on true life.

The trio of one-hour episodes is meant to be reminiscent of the prime-time soaps of the 1980s and '90s. The real-life stories resonate with passion, greed and betrayal, the network said Wednesday in announcing the series at the summer TV critics' tour.

The premiere episode, titled "Shot Through the Heart" and airing Aug. 13, stars Jack Wagner ("Melrose Place") as a priest on the prowl, Jamie Luner ("All My Children") as a troubled housewife and Rob Estes ("Melrose Place") as her jealous husband.

As in the subsequent "Heartbreakers" episodes, the star-studded action is framed with documentary-like interviews with the actual people being depicted.

Asked how it feels to be forever known for his role as Peter Brady in the classic 1970s sitcom, Knight said, "I'm fine with it. I've made peace with it. Peter's in the room before I get there, and he'll be there long after I'm gone. It's a privilege."

Echoed Tracey Gold, who played daughter Carol on the long-running sitcom "Growing Pains:" "It's an honor being identified with a character."

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